"Galaxy" Restaurant in Sana’a Shuts Down: Icon of Investment Falls Victim to Houthi Extortion

"Galaxy," one of the most prominent tourist and commercial landmarks in Yemen’s capital Sana’a, has permanently closed its doors, shocking business circles and the public. The closure comes after years of relentless and unlawful financial levies imposed by the Houthi militia on investors.

Built at a cost exceeding one billion Yemeni riyals, the three-story facility offered luxury VIP halls, conference rooms, a grand banquet hall, family suites, and a children’s play area, making it a favorite destination for businesspeople and families alike.

The owner stated that repeated extortion and illegal fees, without any legal framework or real government services, turned the project’s success into a financial loss, forcing its shutdown despite its wide popularity and high service quality.

Economic experts warn that this is not an isolated case but part of a broader wave of closures affecting major businesses in Houthi-controlled areas, threatening investment, driving capital flight, and deepening Yemen’s economic collapse amid rampant “revolutionary levies.”

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